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Career Pathways Map

The Core Capability Framework maps the shared capabilities across the community mental health sector, creating a platform to showcase its expertise, nurture a thriving workforce and advocate for its vital role.

Why

Through our workforce implementation project, the Core Capability Framework, has become an essential foundation for the system enablers we’re working to strengthen. Whether it’s meaningful continued professional development, career pathways or even being better able to define and advocate for the work that happens in community mental health.

Sector Led

Thank you to everyone who has contributed—your input is shaping a framework that reflects who we are, what we value, and where we’re headed as a sector.

Further opportunities to contribute will be continuous throughout the project – stay tuned for the next round.

Purpose

From our continued conversations with the sector, feedback has been consistent and encouraging: the sector wants a framework that is practical, relational, and reflective—one that supports growth, values lived experience, and reflects the realities of community practice.

So far many see this framework as a way to:

  • Elevate our practice
  • Connect us as a sector
  • Improve quality and safety
  • Provide a platform for advocacy and growth

Purpose

From our continued conversations with the sector, feedback has been consistent and encouraging: the sector wants a framework that is practical, relational, and reflective—one that supports growth, values lived experience, and reflects the realities of community practice.

So far many see this framework as a way to:

  • Elevate our practice
  • Connect us as a sector
  • Improve quality and safety
  • Provide a platform for advocacy and growth

Sector Led

Thank you to everyone who has contributed—your input is shaping a framework that reflects who we are, what we value, and where we’re headed as a sector.

Further opportunities to contribute will be continuous throughout the project – stay tuned for the next round.

News & Updates​

More updates coming soon...

Reset
November 19, 2025

QAMH Response on the Productivity Commission’s Final Report on the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement

October 10, 2025

Position Statement: Supporting the Activation of Australia’s Skills

Shaping the future
September 17, 2025

Shaping the Future: QAMH’s Voice in Early Childhood Mental Health Guidelines

September 10, 2025

QAMH’s Voice Reflected in NDIS Bill No. 2 Consultation Insights

Timeline Milestones

Governance
This project has oversight and input from a number of stakeholders
  • Project Advisory Committee
  • Core Capability Framework Subcommittee
  • Multicultural Reference Group
  • First Nations Reference Group
  • QAMH Staff and Board

Thank you to everyone who has contributed—your input is shaping a framework that reflects who we are, what we value, and where we’re headed as a sector.
At numerous points during the next few years we will be inviting consultation. Depending the cycle we connect with different people at different times dependent on their experience and perspective. You may contribute through a subcommittee, focus group, interview, asynchronous engagement, survey or consultation to name a few. You can register your interest here so if we’re looking for someone with a particular perspective, voice or experience we can contact you.

We also have partnerships and relationships who have supported our work

  • MHLEPQ
  • QLEWN
  • World Wellness Group
Upcoming

Registrations are now open for the next round of consultations for the Core Capability Framework.

We’re inviting community mental health professionals with a deep knowledge of practice and experience in:

  • Leadership or supervision (e.g. seniors, team leaders, managers), or
  • Recruitment and training (e.g. HR, learning and development).

 

🗓 Tuesday 20 May | 9:30–11:30am


🗓 Monday 26 May | 1:30–3:30pm
 

Register here to secure your place.

Your insights will help build a framework whose foundation will underpin career pathways, workforce development needs, and sector advocacy.

Consultation insights

Below you will find the links to the last consultation summary pages. These pages have been sent to all attendees to ensure transparency and accuracy.

Coming soon



Coming soon



In creating a Core Capability Framework we have created an evidence base, along with connecting in with many framework architects and developers. Below you will find links to our own papers, but also research, initiatives and other frameworks from around the world.

Other Frameworks and Examples
  • Keeping it Real | Kia Pono te Tika (New Zealand)
    • New Zealand’s Keeping it Real | Kia Pono te Tika have released their newest update. This is a workforce capability framework for the mental health and addiction sector for the whole country. It was first implemented in 2008 and has undergone numerous updates and implementation phases. It showcases the importance of investment and sustainability in frameworks like these.
  • Our workforce, our future (Victoria, Australia)
    • Want an Australian reference point? ‘Our workforce, our future’ is a capability framework for the Victorian mental health and wellbeing sector This includes both clinical, non clinical, hospital and community.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience-led Peer Workforce Guide’s (Australia)
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience-led Peer Workforce Guide’s purpose is to help create a better environment for communities to be supported on their Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) journey.
    • “…There is a fluidity or flow to the river, navigating through nature, but does this with ease. The flow of the river is peer work.”- page 10.

You can download the guide and other resources here.
  • National Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Development Guidelines  (Australia)
    • TheNational Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Development Guidelines are intended to support change across the mental health sector by improving the understanding of the benefits of the Lived Experience workforce and by supporting employers to assess their local readiness and prioritise activities that support successful implementation.
Research
  1. Exploring the Literature: Competency-based Education and Training & Competency-Based Career Frameworks
  2. Competency Based Assessment in the Professions in Australia
  3. Competency Based Frameworks
  4. Developing public health competency statements and frameworks: a scoping review and thematic analysis of approaches
  5. Work challenges negatively affecting the job satisfaction of early career community mental health professionals working in rural Australia: findings from a qualitative study
 Resources: Training, Articles
  • Lived-Living Experience Workforce Organisational Readiness Training (Australia)
    • For a limited time, the Queensland Mental Health Commission is offering free access to Dr Louise Byrne’s online lived-living experience workforce organizational readiness training. It is an evidence-based and best practice training designed to support and realize the full potential of lived-living experience (peer) workforces. Some conditions apply. Click here for more information and to register.
  • PATHS – Psychosocial Approaches to Thriving Health System (Queensland)
    • QAMH recently completed the Psychosocial Approaches to Thriving Health Systems (PATHS) Project, a transformative, community-led initiative reimagining how people access psychosocial support outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).Read the project summary and learn more.

Coming soon



This project has oversight and input from a number of stakeholders
  • Project Advisory Committee
  • Core Capability Framework Subcommittee
  • Multicultural Reference Group
  • First Nations Reference Group
  • QAMH Staff and Board

Thank you to everyone who has contributed—your input is shaping a framework that reflects who we are, what we value, and where we’re headed as a sector.
At numerous points during the next few years we will be inviting consultation. Depending the cycle we connect with different people at different times dependent on their experience and perspective. You may contribute through a subcommittee, focus group, interview, asynchronous engagement, survey or consultation to name a few. You can register your interest here so if we’re looking for someone with a particular perspective, voice or experience we can contact you.

We also have partnerships and relationships who have supported our work

  • MHLEPQ
  • QLEWN
  • World Wellness Group
Upcoming

Registrations are now open for the next round of consultations for the Core Capability Framework.

We’re inviting community mental health professionals with a deep knowledge of practice and experience in:

  • Leadership or supervision (e.g. seniors, team leaders, managers), or
  • Recruitment and training (e.g. HR, learning and development).

 

🗓 Tuesday 20 May | 9:30–11:30am


🗓 Monday 26 May | 1:30–3:30pm
 

Register here to secure your place.

Your insights will help build a framework whose foundation will underpin career pathways, workforce development needs, and sector advocacy.

Consultation insights

Below you will find the links to the last consultation summary pages. These pages have been sent to all attendees to ensure transparency and accuracy.

Consultation insights

Coming soon



Coming soon



Coming soon



In creating a Core Capability Framework we have created an evidence base, along with connecting in with many framework architects and developers. Below you will find links to our own papers, but also research, initiatives and other frameworks from around the world.

Other Frameworks and Examples
  • Keeping it Real | Kia Pono te Tika (New Zealand)
    • New Zealand’s Keeping it Real | Kia Pono te Tika have released their newest update. This is a workforce capability framework for the mental health and addiction sector for the whole country. It was first implemented in 2008 and has undergone numerous updates and implementation phases. It showcases the importance of investment and sustainability in frameworks like these.
  • Our workforce, our future (Victoria, Australia)
    • Want an Australian reference point? ‘Our workforce, our future’ is a capability framework for the Victorian mental health and wellbeing sector This includes both clinical, non clinical, hospital and community.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience-led Peer Workforce Guide’s (Australia)
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience-led Peer Workforce Guide’s purpose is to help create a better environment for communities to be supported on their Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) journey.
    • “…There is a fluidity or flow to the river, navigating through nature, but does this with ease. The flow of the river is peer work.”- page 10.

You can download the guide and other resources here.
  • National Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Development Guidelines  (Australia)
    • TheNational Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Development Guidelines are intended to support change across the mental health sector by improving the understanding of the benefits of the Lived Experience workforce and by supporting employers to assess their local readiness and prioritise activities that support successful implementation.
Research
  1. Exploring the Literature: Competency-based Education and Training & Competency-Based Career Frameworks
  2. Competency Based Assessment in the Professions in Australia
  3. Competency Based Frameworks
  4. Developing public health competency statements and frameworks: a scoping review and thematic analysis of approaches
  5. Work challenges negatively affecting the job satisfaction of early career community mental health professionals working in rural Australia: findings from a qualitative study
 Resources: Training, Articles
  • Lived-Living Experience Workforce Organisational Readiness Training (Australia)
    • For a limited time, the Queensland Mental Health Commission is offering free access to Dr Louise Byrne’s online lived-living experience workforce organizational readiness training. It is an evidence-based and best practice training designed to support and realize the full potential of lived-living experience (peer) workforces. Some conditions apply. Click here for more information and to register.
  • PATHS – Psychosocial Approaches to Thriving Health System (Queensland)
    • QAMH recently completed the Psychosocial Approaches to Thriving Health Systems (PATHS) Project, a transformative, community-led initiative reimagining how people access psychosocial support outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).Read the project summary and learn more.

Timeline

Sep 2024 - Nov 2024
Development Item 1 Goes Here:
  • Establish a Technical Committee to provide expert advice for the project.
Nov 2024 - Apr 2025
Development Item 2 Goes Here:
  • Functional analysis undertaken via 16 employer interviews and a virtual functional analysis workshop.
  • Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and units of compe
Jul 2025 - Oct 2025
Development Item 3 Goes Here (in progress):
  • Consultation held with Commonwealth and state/territory State Responsible Officers.
  • Feedback incorporated into draft documents.
Jul 2025 - Oct 2025
Development Item 4 Goes Here (in progress):
  • Functional analysis undertaken via 16 employer interviews and a virtual functional analysis workshop.
  • Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and units of competency.
Project Timeline
Sep 2024 - Nov 2024
Completed
Development Item 1 Goes Here:
  • Establish a Technical Committee to provide expert advice for the project.
Nov 2024 - Apr 2025
Completed
Development Item 2 Goes Here:
  • Functional analysis undertaken via 16 employer interviews and a virtual functional analysis workshop.
  • Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and units of competency.
Jul 2025 - Oct 2025
In Progress
Development Item 3 Goes Here (in progress):
  • Consultation held with Commonwealth and state/territory State Responsible Officers.
  • Feedback incorporated into draft documents.
Jul 2025 - Oct 2025
In Progress
Development Item 4 Goes Here (in progress):
  • Functional analysis undertaken via 16 employer interviews and a virtual functional analysis workshop.
  • Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and units of competency.

What Our Learners Are Saying

“There’s so much generic content out there, but this program stands out. It bridges the gap between what you learn and what you actually do — exactly what I needed to move forward.”

Anonymous

“Most online resources only get you so far — this program fills in the missing pieces. It’s structured, practical, and gave me the direction my self-guided learning was missing.”

Patrick Oneil

“I’d been searching for something like this for years. Every other program skimmed the surface, but this one finally connected the dots — it fills the gap between theory and real, usable skills.”

Alexandra Mcloughlin